Washington Online Driver Education and Licensing Procedures

The process of applying for your Washington learner’s permit or first Washington driver’s license can be nerve-racking, but it doesn’t have to be if you have the right information. We want you to get as much out of this experience as possible, and have designed this guide to help guide you through the process. Washington has a “Graduated Driver License Program()”:http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/getpermit.html for Washington teen drivers, and there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that applying for your first Washington driver’s license goes as smoothly as possible. So let’s jump right in.

The Washington Learner’s Permit or Washington Instruction Permit

If you enroll in a Washington approved driver education course (see the note at the bottom of this guide about online providers), you can apply for a Washington Instruction permit when you turn 15. However, you must apply for the permit no more than 10 days before the class starts.

When you turn 15 and a half, you can also apply for a Washington Instruction Permit. Either way, in order to apply you’ll need:

• If 15, your application must be signed by your driving school instructor
• Washington Instruction Permit fee $20
• A completed “Parental Authorization Affidavit()”:http://www.dol.wa.gov/forms/520003.html
• “Proof of residence and identity()”:http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/idproof.html
• Pick up the “Washing Driver Guide()”:http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/driverguide.pdf to study for the written test

Once all of this is in place, make an appointment, then head on down to your local “Washington Driver License Office()”:https://fortress.wa.gov/dol/dolprod/dsdoffices/ with your parent or guardian and submit your application. Then, you’ll have to take a vision test. If you’re not enrolled in a Washington approved driver education course, you’ll also have to pass a “knowledge test()”:http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/writtentest.html. You’ve accomplished the first step—you know have a Washington Instruction Permit, which is valid for 1 year and may be renewed once.

Remember, you must practice driving with your parent, guardian, driving instructor, or licensed driver who has at least 5 years experience. Of course, all passengers must wear seatbelts, and be sure to carry your Washington Learner’s Permit with you at all times.

Once you’ve held your Washington Instruction Permit for 6 months without incident and have met a few more requirements, you’ll graduate to the next step in the Washington Graduated License Program, the Washington Intermediate Driver License.

The Washington Intermediate Driver License or Washington Provisional License

You can apply for your Washington Intermediate Driver’s License once you’ve held your Washington Instruction Permit for 6 months in good standing. However, you’ll also need to satisfy the following requirements:

• Be at least 16 years old
• Pass a “Washington approved traffic safety course()”:http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/drivertraining.html
• Hold a Washington Instruction Permit for 6 months
• Practice driving for at least 50 hours with a licensed driver with 5 years experience
• At least 10 hours must be at night
• Record your driving practice in the “Intermediate License logbook()”:http://www.k12.wa.us/TrafficSafety/pubdocs/BTW/workbooklogTS.pdf
• Your parents and read the “Washington Parent Guide to Teen Driving()”:http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/parentguide.pdf or “Safe-Driving Agreement()”:http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/safedrivingagreement.pdf to help out
• And finally, drive without Washington traffic violations or alcohol or drug convictions

All set? Then, make an appointment and head on down to your local Washington Driver License Office again. Remember to bring your parent/guardian, your traffic safety certificate, your identification documents, and your Parental Authorization Affidavit. Now you’ll have to take the “dreaded Washington road test()”:http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/drivingtest.html! If you pass, then give yourself a reward: you’ve just earned your Washington Intermediate Driver’s License! Now you’re just a few more months of good behavior away from getting your full license.

Washington Teen Driver License Restrictions and Penalties

There are still a few “restrictions()”:http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/teens.html you’ll have to keep in mind now that you have your Washington Intermediate Driver’s License:

• All passengers and the driver must wear seat belts
• For the first 6 months, no passengers under 20 unless they are family members
• For the second 6 months, no more than 3 passengers under 20 except for family members
• For the first 12 months, no driving between 1AM and 5AM unless with a driver 25 or older (or if you drive for agricultural purposes)
• And finally, no cell phones while driving (that includes hands-free devices)

Upon your first violation of these restrictions, you’ll receive a warning letter. For your second violation, your Washington Intermediate Driver license will be suspended for 6 months (or until you turn 18, whichever comes first). Upon your third violation, your Washington License will be suspended until you turn 18. If these seems strict, just remember that once you turn 18, these restrictions will be removed. And then, freedom!

Washington Drunk Driving Laws

As a Washington teen driver, you’ll face no bigger threat than the one posed by drunk drivers. it’s important for you to learn the Washington drunk driving laws and follow them religiously. Like most states, Washington has a Zero Tolerance Law for underage drinking, and if you are convicted of a Washington DUI or Washington DWI, your Washington Learner Permit or Washington Driver’s License will be suspended.

In general, upon your first conviction of a Washington DUI of .08, you’ll also face the following penalties:

• Washington License Suspension 90 days
• Jail 24 hours to 1 year or Electronic Home Monitoring 15 days
• Fine $865.50 to $5,000

For a Blood Alcohol Content of .15 or above, you’ll face the following penalties:

• Jail 2 days to 2 years or Electronic Home Monitoring 30 days
• Fine $1,120.50 to $5,000
• Washington License Suspension 1 year
• Ignition Interlock Device installation
• Possible Alcohol/Drug Education class

And of course, further Washington DWI and DUI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Washington license suspension or even Washington license revocation. There’s no bigger abuse of the privilege of driving than getting behind the wheel drunk, and the State of Washington takes it very seriously.

Washington Auto Insurance Financial Responsibility Laws

You may think you’re ready to drive just because you’ve received your Washington Provisional Driver license, but there are still other things you need to know. Most crucially, Washington drivers are required by law to be covered by liability insurance. The minimum liability insurance coverage is:

• $25,000 bodily injury for one person
• $50,000 bodily injury two or more people
• $10,000 for property damage per accident

If you are in an accident and found to be driving without Washington mandatory liability insurance, your Washington Learner Permit or Washington Driver’s License could be suspended.

Cell Phone and Text Messaging Laws

Currently, Washington teen drivers are prohibited from using cell phones while driving, even with hands-free devices! And at any age, frequent cell phone use while driving can be risky, so keep it to a minimum!

Washington Online Driver Education

Washington teen drivers can receive their Washington Learner’s Permit if they enroll in a “Washington approved driver education class()”:http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/drivertraining.html. More information about approved Washington online driver education can be found on the “Washington Department of Motor Vehicle website()”:http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/drivertraining.html.